New Roughyeds get to know each other

There were handshakes all round at Whitebank this week when the men who will carry Oldham’s promotion hopes into the 2013 Championship One campaign met for the first time about the challenges that lie ahead. Of the players contracted to the Roughyeds for next season, there are eight new boys and four young players who have been promoted to the first-team squad from the reserves.

There were handshakes all round at Whitebank this week when the men who will carry Oldham’s promotion hopes into the 2013 Championship One campaign met for the first time about the challenges that lie ahead.

Of the players contracted to the Roughyeds for next season, there are eight new boys and four young players who have been promoted to the first-team squad from the reserves.

The ‘welcome to Whitebank’ message was also extended by club chairman Chris Hamilton to the new coaching duo of Scott Naylor and Lee Spencer.

Naylor spoke to the players, many of whom he had met for the first time, about what he expects of them in his first season as head coach, having learned his trade at Salford City Reds.

Pre-season training is due to start next Tuesday, November 13.

Mr Hamilton said: "We are looking to create a certain mindset within the squad in terms of application, determination and commitment – that has been to the forefront of all our discussions on player recruitment.

"By the time we have finished we will have a squad of 24 or 25, perhaps with scope for topping up with season-long loans, and the right mix of experience and youth with everyone pushing each other for places in the team.

"The pre-season programme starts soon and its importance can’t be overstated because it sets the pattern for the season in terms of conditioning, camaraderie, team spirit and many other factors."